Finally, the day I have been waiting for all year is here. This, to me, is more momentous than my birthday. It means, of course, that there will be more rather than less light in the days ahead. I am not as fond of the summer solstice because this means that there will be less rather than more light in the days ahead.

We cannot celebrate by having a bonfire because it’s too windy. The sparks might fly and cause a fire. We are hoping that others will think the same if they are thinking of having bonfires or setting off fireworks. Stupid people, they will do what they want to do because being told what to do, in their minds, impinges upon their freedom.

We did celebrate today by going for a horseback ride. I wasn’t up for this because it was windy. The birch trees were doing their back and forth swaying dance – and it was cold. I did clean up this morning – I wore my Refrigirware suit and Steger mukluks and my gloves (I haven’t lost any gloves yet, which is usually the case by this time of year), and I was comfortable.

Still, I inwardly balked when Pete said that we needed to get the horses out. Actually, he said that he needed to get Tyra (his horse) out well knowing that I, of course, would not say that I was staying put. He also said that we needed to get the dogs out. This included Ryder, who he speculated would be up for this. I said that she might not. A not so good combination, old dog, windy cold weather.

I waited for Pete to come in after going out to the outhouse and say that he changed his mind, but he did not offer a differing plan, like, say, that yes, it was too windy and cold to subject the horses to an afternoon outing.

So at 1:30 p.m. out we went. He overdressed, putting many layers under his Refrigirware suit and I underdressed, not putting enough layers under my Refrigirware suit.

The horses, Tyra and Hrimmi, they were all for getting out. Raudi was content, staying put and eating extra rations of hay. They are such good, good horses – always up for an outing and always very cooperative.

Walking up Oceanview Drive – it was blustery and I did get cold. Hrimmi, she never gives up. She did pull me off the road a few times in order to scrounge for dried grass.

We went up Jim’s Trail – there were some fallen tree limbs – walked around them and then mounted. It was then that all was once again well with the world. The trees block the wind on our trails, making for an enjoyable ride. And the Talkeetna Range mountains were pink in color.

I was, as I rode, reminded of the Lord of the Rings movie. I went to see it in order to see the Icelandic Horses. It was filmed in New Zealand. The horses had a minor role in the movie, which disappointed me. And they were wearing sweaters, making them look oddly furry.

Well, I envisioned myself on my trusty steed, traveling like the hobbits, and off on an adventure. But there was no adventure, not really. We didn’t do Tin Can because of downed trees. But we did do some bushwacking, on this the winter solstice. And the sun, an orange ball, it was low in the sky upon our return.

Next: 343. 12/22/25: Something Important